Benfica beat off Arsenal interest to land highly-rated Belgian midfielder

Benfica have won the race to sign Axel Witsel, beating off reported interest from Arsenal and several other Premier League outfits.

Earlier this summer, the 22-year-old Belgian midfielder expressed his desire to leave Standard Liege and has evidently been granted his wish by agreeing to join the Portuguese club.

Arsenal, along with Manchester United and Blackburn, were all believed to be monitoring Witsel’s situation. However, despite interest from the Gunners and United, the talented youngster chose Benfica as his preferred destination.

This move may have surprised a few Gooners and possibly Wenger himself, as the player’s father, Thierry Witsel, told Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport in the past that joining Arsenal would be his son’s dream move:

‘I personally hope that this was his last season with Standard as he needs to grow and to do it he needs to leave the country.’

‘He doesn’t have a specific target but he has a dream and it’s called Arsenal, but this doesn’t mean that he’s not open to other clubs.’

Liege have not yet revealed the transfer fee received for Witsel, but it is thought to be in the region of around £8 million.

I cannot comment on how strong Arsenal’s interest was in the Belgian international. But, assuming that we were looking to acquire him this summer, then I can only suggest two reasons why we failed to land him:

1. We were unprepared to splash the cash (yes I know, £8 million is not much)

Or

2. Arsene Wenger simply didn’t move quickly enough to secure his services.

In any case, Witsel will not be at Arsenal next season.

Let’s just hope that our other summer targets don’t slip through our fingers.

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